The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

Opinion

Eight years ago, about a year after my daughter was born, I was working at a job I loved. I was the chaplain at a mental health facility for young people. The problem was, that the work was so demanding that I often would only see her first thing in...

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham Q: I dread nighttime because going to sleep is not pleasant—it is a chore. Why can’t I turn my mind off and rest? A: Many people have trouble falling asleep at night. Some take over-the-counter drugs or...

Before ships had engines to power their forward movement, they relied on sails and wind to move across the large bodies of water. Occasionally, they would hit stretches where no wind blew to help them move. When this happened, they would employ a...

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham Q: I have been a Christian most of my life but I do not feel like one. What is my problem? A: The Bible says to examine ourselves (2 Corinthians 13:5). God will show us where we are wrong and what is...

Over the last few weeks, I have read about several prominent pastors who lost their jobs after accusations of abuse of power and improper behavior were made and verified. As a guy who works in ministry, these sorts of things are disheartening to me....

Aesop, the great storyteller of ancient Greece, was once mocked by a fellow Athenian because he spent his life telling stories to children, which he called a waste of time. Aesop’s response was to un-string a bow, lay the bowstring at the man’s...

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham Q: I read a lot of books and many Christian authors write about the fact that we should not be fearful. I know the Bible says over and over again, “Fear not,” but it also says to “fear God.” Isn’t...

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham The human soul transcends earthly value Q: Why is it that Christians say we have to believe their way or miss Heaven? Isn’t this a little narrow, maybe even arrogant? A: Christians do make up a religion...

Mark Twain once said: “If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And If it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.” The reason being that no-one wants to eat a frog....

A few weeks ago, my 5-year old son was playing with a girl from his class. I gave them snacks, a plate of chips each. My boy eyed up the plates and went to grab the one that appeared to be larger. I stopped him and asked if he was forgetting...

The human soul transcends earthly value Q: Our friends have two teenagers with severe behavioral problems and claim that it is due to mental illness, but neither child has been diagnosed with any particular disorder. Having been close with this famil...

On Monday, I had an early doctor’s appointment that required me to be in town early. As a result, I wasn’t able to get to the gym first thing in the morning. It’s the first time in 2 months that I haven’t exercised first thing in the...

Dr. Martin Luther King is one of my heroes! And we need his wisdom these days. He of course is most known for his “I Have a Dream” speech. “I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the...

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham Q: I am determined to turn over a new leaf this year. But I am afraid it will be like all the years before. How can I make my New Year’s resolution stick? A: Slogans have been around a long time, perhaps...

Recently, I have been very focused on my health and have been working hard to lose weight, eat better, and exercise regularly. I’ve done well with the eating better and the daily exercise, but I am discovering that losing weight is very difficult....

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham Q: Some people think Heaven will be like living a fairy tale. Others think it will be boring. What is the right answer? A: Heaven captures the imagination, but it is not an imaginary place. It is not a...

Last weekend, I hosted a book sale/reading/signing for a book I wrote and published myself. In the days leading up to the event, I found myself losing sleep and worrying at length as to how the whole thing would go. This isn’t all that unusual for...

Q: I lost my wife to cancer. She was a wonderful Christian lady and I find my anger and resentment toward God unbearable. Why would He allow this to happen? A: From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham The Bible tells us to be thankful to God in...

This morning is the first time I have sat at my desk, in my office, in a little more than a week. My wife and I just got back from a vacation week in Hawaii a celebration of our 20th wedding anniversary (which was technically back in July). Every...

In 1934, an American theologian wrote a prayer for a sermon he was delivering. Reinhold Niebuhr’s short prayer has grown fairly well known over the years: God, give me grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, Courage to...

Q: My husband is having an affair and I am devastated and have no one I can trust to turn to for counsel. What is a wife to do? A: From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham Scripture documents many accounts of the weary-hearted and declares: “But...

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham Q: Someone on the radio spoke about God putting a value on the human soul. How can this be since no one can see or touch the soul? A: From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham It was reported several years...

This Christmas give yourself and others a gift of thinking before you speak. This is a recent poem I wrote for the Variety Show recently held in Big Sandy. It’s called The Power of Words. I’d love to write a poem where the words have power Power...

This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham. Q: I am not necessarily against Jesus but I think people throughout history have embellished his story and made him bigger than life. Show me where I might be wrong. A:...